Ed. — Archived from the Sunday, Dec. 1, print edition.
VIRGINIA BEACH — I will soon end my time on the Virginia Beach School Board following a close election loss, falling short by less than 5 percent of the vote as an independent candidate challenged by an opponent endorsed by the city GOP.
City Council and School Board elections are nonpartisan, meaning parties do not officially nominate candidates, and no partisan identifiers appear on ballots for these offices. However, partisan endorsements can play a significant role in these races, especially during presidential election cycles.
Earlier this year, I considered running for City Council in District 1, motivated by a desire to advocate for education and apply my business background to benefit the city. I sought endorsement from the local Republican committee, given my lifelong affiliation with the party.
I’m a fiscal conservative but a socially moderate and solution-oriented individual — what I like to call “mission-oriented” due to my military background. I focus on teamwork and achieving results, regardless of personal differences. Unfortunately, some of my moderate views didn’t align with many local committee members’ expectations. I didn’t receive their support. This also meant that I would not receive their endorsement for School Board.
One of my goals is to unite the community and seek solutions that benefit all, not divide the city along party lines. Our city is diverse, or “purple,” largely due to our transient military population. This diversity of voices and backgrounds should be represented fairly — without party politics dominating local elections.
Ultimately, I ran for reelection to the School Board as an independent candidate, fully aware of the uphill battle without partisan backing. A candidate who is a Democrat withdrew from the race, leaving a down-ballot slot empty on literature showing endorsements. Democrats — whom I have represented in some votes — may not have seen me as an option.
Independent candidates face significant obstacles, particularly in races where party-affiliated sample ballots influence voters. The outcome in my district might have been different if I’d had party support.
I’m deeply grateful to those who voted for me on both sides of the aisle because they believed in my commitment to representing all students, families and the whole division. Election rhetoric often emphasizes the importance of independent and moderate voters. Yet, in practice, these voices are frequently sidelined. Parties want moderates to vote for their candidates, but they don’t always listen to our concerns.
I’ve seen firsthand that Virginia Beach is an exceptional school division preparing students to enroll, employ or enlist. We’ve made significant strides in addressing chronic absenteeism, special education and workforce development. Partnerships with the Navy, the shipbuilding industry and Tidewater Tech show the impact of our efforts. Much of our work deals with student and family matters, not partisan ones.
We must rebuild trust between families and the division, especially in the wake of the pandemic, where we saw partisan conflict over the district’s response to a remarkably complex situation. Sometimes, the district I’ve heard described by critics is not the one I have seen in action.
I’ve worked hard to highlight our successes, even as the narrative often focuses on challenges. While improvements are needed, many areas of concern are state or national issues requiring broader discussions. Regardless of who sits on the board, our dedicated educators and staff remain focused on students. That matters most.
I know my decisions haven’t always pleased everyone, but I’ve prioritized what’s best for the division and the community. I’m tired of the notion that one must conform to a rigid partisan mold to gain support. Even in my marriage, my husband and I don’t agree 100 percent of the time. Yet we have an amazing, successful marriage — and, despite some differences, Virginia Beach has an amazing, successful school division.
I wish the new District 1 representative well. Former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, in her concession speech after losing to U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans in 2022, emphasized the importance of unity and putting the community first. She graciously acknowledged her opponent’s victory and expressed her hope that Kiggans would serve the district well.
Luria’s words highlighted the value of public service beyond partisanship, encouraging collaboration and a focus on shared goals for the greater good. That message has stayed with me because it underscored the idea that, regardless of our political differences, we must work for the betterment of our community and represent all constituents fairly and effectively.
I love Virginia Beach and the city schools division, and I will continue advocating for public education and the success of all students — especially those who are struggling — and seek comprehensive solutions to the challenges we face. I hope we will all continue to build a stronger, more united community. We are not all that far apart on the things that matter most.
The author, a U.S. Navy veteran and a mortgage banker, is the vice chairperson of the Virginia Beach School Board. She was first elected to represent the former Kempsville District in 2020. Reach her via email at jenfforvbsb@gmail.com.
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